Being an ally can take the form of both Proactive and Reactive actions.
REACTIVE Allyship
Advocating
Listening
Lifting Up
Realize when someone has acted non-inclusively
Intentionally turn a moment of non-inclusivity into one of inclusion
Does not require permission to act
PROACTIVE Allyship
Including
Elevating
Sponsoring
Work with intention to bring someone into the spotlight
Requires permission and a partnership
Requires you and your ally to agree on objectives and outcomes
It is important to understand when to seek permission before acting, because without gaining permission, an exclusive environment could be created unintentionally.
However, whether you have permission to act on another’s behalf or not, you can always work to advocate, listen, and lift and create a more inclusive environment.